Just over a week ago, on September 1, the 46th season of the PBA Philippine Cup resumed from its month-long coronavirus hiatus.
For Filipino basketball betting enthusiasts, the restart of the nation’s most popular league corresponds almost to the week with the beginning of NFL betting season in America.
Of course, NFL betting is also extremely popular in the islands, and this gives local punters an even bigger reason to sign up with legal offshore sports betting sites.
After all, despite MegaSportsWorld (MSW) broadening its footprint by rolling out more sports gambling lounges at various PH-based casinos, it’s still not online.
And even when MSW finally starts accepting wagers over the Internet, they won’t be able to take bets on local fare.
For all the allowances within Philippine gambling law, sports betting on Philippines-based teams and leagues is still barred at the domestic level.
Thus, if you want a great one-stop shop for both national and international sports betting on the PBA, NFL, NBA, eSports, boxing, MMA, and various soccer leagues the world over (to name just a few markets), legal international gambling sites like 22bet and BetOnline are the only games in town.
That said, if you’re going to bet on the 2021 Philippine Cup, time is running out.
It’s unlikely that another lockdown or Manila quarantine will delay the remainder of the elimination round or playoffs, and most teams have just three games left on their schedules before the “postseason” tips off.
As of right now, these are the 2021 PBA standings (teams in bold are currently above the elimination line):
- TNT Tropang Giga 7-1
- Meralco Bolts 5-2
- San Miguel Beermen 5-2
- Magnolia Hotshots 6-3
- Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 5-4
- NLEX Road Warriors 4-4
- Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 3-4
- NorthPort Batang Pier 2-3
- Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters 3-5
- Terrafirma Dyip 3-5
- Alaska Aces 2-4
- Blackwater Bossing 0-8
If you’d like to participate in any PBA betting on the Philippine Cup this weekend, the following odds are currently on the boards at 22bet Sportsbook.
Note: We’re including the main lines here, as 22bet features literally hundreds of prop bets and specials for all PBA games.
TerraFirma Dyip vs. NorthPort Batang Pier Odds
- Straight: TerraFirma Dyip +185, NorthPort Batang Pier -235
- Spread: NortPort Batang Pier -5.5
- Total: 181.5
Blackwater Bossing vs. Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters Odds
- Straight: Blackwater Bossing +435, Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters -667
- Spread: Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters -11.5
- Total: 173.5
As the elimination round for the 2021 Philippine Cup comes to a close, one of the main narratives of interest this season – necessarily put on the backburner due to the various COVID stoppages – has been the return of superstar and PBA GOAT June Mar Fajardo to the San Miguel Beermen.
After missing all of 2020 with a leg injury, Fajardo’s reemergence has been highly anticipated by PBA fans and bettors alike.
While the six-time MVP’s numbers are down due to a slow and metered return as regards playing time, he looks to be coming back into form.
Below, you can see how The Kraken is doing during the conference so far.
Please note that these numbers are through the first four games of the Philippine Cup 2021 campaign:
- Points per game: 10.8
- Rebounds per game: 8.3
- Assists per game: 1.3
- Blocks per game: 1.0
- Minutes per game: 23
- Shooting percentage: 47.1%
- Free throw percentage: 78.6%
With those numbers, Fajardo likely won’t win any awards during the conference, but if he hits his stride down the home stretch, the Beerman could give TNT Tropang Giga a run for their money.
Unfortunately, defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel look a bit overmatched this year and don’t appear likely to contend for a repeat.
Still, a timely futures bet on a second straight title for the club would pay out awfully nicely…
